How do I know that my new shoes fit right?

Important: Always try the shoes on at home

Always try on your new Ahinsa shoes at home. This is the only way to keep them clean and, if they’re not the right fit, you can return them. We’ll be happy to send you a new size or refund your money. 

1. You have about 0.5cm of free extra space in front of your big toe

Put on a pair of socks, put the shoes on and stand on tip-toe. There should be extra “functional” space, i.e. additional room for the toes that allows the foot to move naturally. 

For smaller sizes, (36–37) app. 3mm of extra space is enough, while larger sizes (47+) require up to 11 mm.

If you feel the toes touching the tip of the shoes while stepping forward or on tip-toe, you’ll need a larger size.

2. The heel doesn’t rub against the shoe or slip out of it

You might be surprised by the free space your heel has. It’s ok if your foot isn’t slipping out of the shoe – it’s there to allow your foot to move freely. 

If there’s friction on your heel, it means that the shoes aren’t the right fit. Don’t expect them to stretch over time and trade them in for a different size. 

3. There’s no pinching or pain to your instep

If your instep is sore from lace-up shoes, loosen the shoelaces. 

Your shoes don’t have laces and they’re still pinching your instep? Then you’ve probably got a model that isn’t suited for the height of your instep. We recommend selecting a model with laces. 

4. The toes have enough space.

In a healthy shoe, the toes aren’t pressing together. On the contrary, they should have enough space to be in the “centered position”.

Not sure if your toes have enough room? Take out the insole, step down on it and put your weight on your foot. Put your toes in the centered position according to the video above. Do they fit like this onto the insole, or does your foot cross over it? 

If it’s crossing over, it means you’ve got the wrong size or the shoes are too narrow. Try our extra-wide models.

5. The shoe isn’t loose and you’re not tripping over the toe box.

In healthy shoes, the feet have room to move freely. But this doesn’t mean that the shoe should be falling off or hanging loosely around the foot. If it is, tighten the laces. That didn’t help? Then exchange them for a smaller size. 

6. The shoe doesn’t limit your movement in any direction.

A good shoe will adapt to you, not you to it. That’s why you should be able to stand up in it on the tips of your toes freely, take a step forward or bend the foot according to the terrain you’re walking over. 

Something you should know: You don’t have to “break in” Ahinsa shoes.

We make them from flexible materials, and that’s why they’ll fit you perfectly the first time you put them on. No blisters, callouses or swelling. They’ll quickly adapt to your feet and style of walking.

FAQ

➡️ When I walk, my toes are touching the front of the shoe. What does that mean? 

That means you need a pair of shoes that’s one size larger. In a healthy shoe, the foot expands and contracts with each step, and that’s why the extra space is important – this room in front of your toes allows for free movement. 

➡️ There’s empty space between my heel and the shoe and the material is bending. Should that be happening?

Yes, that’s ok. We make Ahinsa shoes without heel reinforcements and with enough free space. That’s why the feet can move freely in them and nothing constricts the heel. 

➡️ The shoes don’t fit me. How can I exchange them for a different size?

Simple! On this webpage, you’ll find out how to quickly exchange them – and we’ll pay the postage.

➡️ I think I’ve chosen the wrong model. What now?

Have a look at our page about exchanging and returning shoes. Here you’ll find out how to return the shoes – then you can go and choose others that fit you. 

➡️ Why are Ahinsa shoes so wide?

Because the human foot isn’t narrow or pointy. In order for your toes to function properly, they need an adequate amount of free space, which they’ll get in healthy shoes like the ones made at Ahinsa. 

We know – it’s unusual to see healthy shoes for the first time. But you’ll quickly get so used to them that classic narrow shoes will seem irrationally pointy – and for good reason.